BEERMAN'S PICKS FOR WEEK 2
- by Beerman, posted 9/2/99

Not in action: #1 Florida State, #13 Ohio State, #19 Kansas State

Big East Games:

Syracuse (-13.5) @ TOLEDO

Year One A.D. (After Donovan) in upstate New York. Think mebee the scheduled their opener in Ohio so that Madei Williams won't have to hear about it right away if he screws up? Don't forget, not only did they lose McNabb, but they lost they're top WR and fullback extraodinare Rob Konrad. Furthermore, the bulk of their offensive coaching staff now winters in South Bend, Indiana. Luckily, Coach Paul Pasquilousy is still around to muck it up. Toledo is usually one of the better teams in the MAC, and should not be taken lightly. Every year a few big name schools get surprised by an upstart MAC team, (a pain we know all too well) and the Orange does not have a recent history of stellar early season performances. Also, after Miami took down the Buckeyes, the Big East is due for a little humiliation.

Pick: The Rockets

TEMPLE (+5) vs. Maryland

What's there to say? Nothing quite like starting the season out with a resounding "THUD". It would be nice if Temple were to actually win this game, but hoping for it to happen just isn't worth the effort.

Pick: UMud

#2 PENN STATE (-44) vs. Akron

So it appears that JoePa has an offense this year. Uh-oh…

Pick: Penn State

#3 TENNESSEE (-24) vs. Wyoming

Think the Vols could be upset about dropping in the rankings without even having played yet? I do. Wyoming is no pushover, and are the rarest of all breeds … a WAC team (sorry MWC) with an honest-to-God defense. Twenty-three points actually gives me pause for thought, especially in an opening game. Largely intact from last year's title run, Tennessee should take this one with ease, but 23 could be a bit much.

Pick: Tennessee

#4 FLORIDA (-36.5) vs. Western Michigan

My rule of thumb about 30 point spreads does not apply in the case of Steve Superior and games against MAC opponents…even decent MAC opponents.

Pick: Florida

#5 Nebraska (-22) @ IOWA

When Hayden Fry retired from Iowa after last year, he didn't just leave the cupboard bare, he demolished the entire kitchen. Things are not going to be much fun in Hawkeye land for a few years yet. Nebraska is one thing that they were not for most of last year … healthy. Frank Solich has to make a statement this year, to make up for the almost unforgivable sin of losing 4 games last year. He will.

Pick: Nebraska

#6 Texas A&M (-14.5) @ LOUISIANA TECH

Yeah, yeah … I know … LaTech only managed a single touchdown against Florida State. But that was Florida State. Unfortunately for the Techsters, this is Texas A&M. The Aggies are not on par with the 'Noles, so 41-7 probably won't happen, but they should handle the Bulldogs pretty easily.

Pick: aTm

#7 MICHIGAN (-7) vs. #16 Notre Dame

You know it's a storied rivalry when Burger King is plugging the game in their commercials. There isn't much I can say that could do this series justice, so I'll be brief. The Irish looked very good against Kansas last weekend, and could be trouble if this offense is for real. Michigan has not had the benefit of a game under their belts yet. Advantage: Notre Dame

Pick: Fighting Irish

#8 MIAMI (FL) (off) vs. Florida A&M

Miami looked to be "back" on Sunday. They'll be even more back against FAMU. Not trying to disparage FAMU, but the best thing about their football program is the marching band. No betting line vs. I-AA teams, just picking winners here.

Pick: Canes

#9 WISCONSIN (off) vs. Murray State

We like Wisconsin. They think they've got realistic MNC aspirations, and they've got an even weaker non-conference schedule than we do. I'll go on record right now as saying that Ron Dayne will not break Ricky Williams rushing record this year.

Pick: Badgers

#10 Georgia Tech (-19) @ NAVY

Yup, sounds about right.

Pick: Georgia Tech

#11 VIRGINIA TECH (off) vs. James Madison

It's go time baybee !

Pick: HOKIES !

#12 GEORGIA (-27.5) vs. Utah State

Yeesh! I'm happier playing JMU. As football crazed as some of these SEC fans are, I can't imagine anyone being too excited for this one. Even the players, which is why I'm going to pick USU to cover… nah …

Pick: Georgia

#14 COLORADO (-13) vs. Colorado State, at Denver, CO

#15 ARIZONA (-13.5) @ Texas Christian

Really, Arizona is not (should not be) as bad as they looked against Penn State. Of course, lots of teams look foolish when Paterno has months to prepare a game plan against them. Now, the question is how much will this affect them this week. TCU was a pretty decent team last year, and should be improved a bit for '99. If the Wildcats run a few tackling drills this week in practice, and can play angry instead of upset, then they should take this one. If they don't … well, 0-2 is not a good way to start the season.

#17 UCLA (-29.5) vs. Boise State

So Boise State plays their games on blue Astroturf. No lie. No wonder they can't attract quality players. Well, that and the whole middle of nowhere thing…

Pick: UCLA

#18 Arkansas (-14) @ SOUTHERN METHODIST

Not a clue. I've got nothing here. Arkansas was somewhat of a surprise last year, but they've lost a few players. SMU is…well…they're not the 1-10 Mustangs of a few years ago, but they're closer to that than to "The Best Team Money Can Buy". In Dallas, I think SMU covers but ultimately loses.

Pick: SMU

#20 Alabama (-16.5) @ VANDERBILT

Vanderbilt is what's known as the "soft underbelly" of an SEC schedule. Alabama is on the rise, and should contend in the relatively weak SEC West. Sometimes a 38-7 whupping is good for you.

Pick: Alabama

#21 Southern Cal (-27) @ HAWAII

18 and counting. Hawaii's losing streak will not stop this on this day. If you must lose, however, it's gotta be more fun doing in Hawaii than in Kent, Ohio. Sluggish after one too many mai-tais the night before, USC will "only" win by 18.

Pick: Hawaii

#22 Purdue (-17) @ CENTRAL FLORIDA

One step forward, two steps back. Sans Dante, UCF will start out the season 0-1. With Florida, Georgia Tech, and Georgia to follow in weeks 2, 3, and 4 respectively, they will be 0-4 before they can even seriously think about winning a ballgame. Joe Tiller has Purdue pointed in the right direction, and with Drew Brees at the helm, I'd be surprised if they didn't knock off at least one of the Big Ten heavies this year.

Pick: Purdue

#23 Wahoo State (+2.5) @ NORTH CAROLINA

With loss here, Cavaliers likely headed for 0-11 on the season.

Pick: North Carolina

#24 NC STATE (-8.5) vs. South Carolina

NC State is not a top-25 team, not yet, not unless they can get those three punt blocks in every game. Then again, they should be better offensively than they were against Texas. South Carolina is just plain bad, and ole' Lou has got quite a job in front of him. In a game that means nothing outside of the Carolinas, NC Sate should cover here.

Pick: NC State

Other Big East Games:

West Virginia (-6) vs. East Carolina at Charlotte, NC

And so it begins. Games like this are the ones that will make or break the Big East's OOC record. No one cares about the scrub teams, and it won't be a huge disappointment if FSU topples Miami. If we're to gain national respect for the conference, the mid-level teams must beat the mid-level teams from other conferences. It's as simple as that. Now, I know all about how much talent WVU has lost since last year, but even with all that talent they couldn't win many games. Sometimes less talented teams rally together and play better than the sum of their parts. I don't know much about ECU, on the other hand, since they've become mired in the swamp that is CUSA. An experienced quarterback is a plus though, so I'm giving the nod to the 'Eers.

Pick: WVU

BOSTON COLLEGE (-5.5) vs. Baylor

Actually, I'm at a loss here. I don't really have much to say about this game. Go Eagles!

Pick: Boston College

Rutgers (+18) @ CALIFORNIA

Another sleeper, Cal returns something like 18 starters from a competitive (if not terribly good) '98 squad. RUTSgers won 5 games last year, but got blown out by everyone who had any talent. Still, beating Temple, UPitt, etc … is step in the right direction, and is good for the Big East.

Pick: Rutgers

PITTSBURGH (-7.5) vs. Bowling Green

It's the Pitts vs. Boring Green. UPitt has been picked last in the Big East by more than one pundit, and yet they're still favored by 8. This says something about Bowling Green. Lets just hope it doesn't say that BG is underrated.

Pick: Bowling Green

#25 ARIZONA STATE (-6.5) vs. Texas Tech

Monday night college ball. No sir, I don't like it. I'll let it slide, because the NFL hasn't started yet, but I can't say that I care much for it. AZ State is supposed to be pretty good. Of course, they were supposed to be pretty good last year too, and that didn't pan out very well. Texas Tech is rotten, however, and I'm not talking about talent. Spike Dykes runs a dirty program, and doesn't care much for the academic side of college football. I don't think too much of that either. All other things being equal, I pick against the Red Raiders every time.

Pick: Arizona State

Upset Special:  1-0